Improved feathering paddle-wheel



UNITED STATES' PATENTi OFFICE.

ALBERT GILMAN, OF CHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.`

IMPROVED FEATHERING PADDLE-WHEL.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,102, dated August 1, 1865.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT GILMAN, of Charlestown, in the county of Middlesex, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Feathering Paddle-Wheel and I do` hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification, is adescription ot' myinvention suiiicient to enable those skilled in the art 'to practice it.

The purpose, utility, and general mode o operation of feathering paddle-wheels are too well known to require description here.

My invention relates to such a construction and arrangement of the parts and accessories in and connected with such wheels will keep the paddles at the desired angle with relation to the waterlevel with the least possible amountofmechanism,possessingboth strength and durability.

Of the drawings, Figure lis asideelevali'on of a feathering paddle-wheel embodying my l invention, and Fig. 2 is a front elevation ofthe same.

The hubs, arms, rim, and bracing of the wheel need no description, being such as are in common use. Y

The inner edge ot' the wheel is set oi from the side of the vessel sufficiently to allow of the attachment and movement ofthe arms a, which are rigidly fixed to the paddle-axes b, and of the attachment of the grooved ring c to the side of the vessel; which ringis located eccentrically with respect to the paddleY Wheel shaft. As represented in the drawings, the paddleaxes b areof such length as to extend entirely across the face of the wheel, pivoting or having bearings in the inner and the outer rim, and extending toward the vessel suiiciently from the inner rim for the attachment of the arms a. Each paddle is formed by two pieces of metal placed over each paddle-axis, one on pelling the vessel ahead is indicated by the arrow in the drawings.

The ends of the arms opposite to thosexed on the Vpaddle-axes are provided with pins or rolls, which t and travel in the ring c. The arms a being rigidly attached to the axes of the paddles, as shownin the drawings, and the pins in the outer ends of the arms being iu the groove in the ringe, it will be seen upon inspection of the drawings that rotation of the wheel in the direction of the arrow will draw each arm around the groove in the ring c, and that this will constantly change the angle of each paddle and each arm with reference to` the water-level.

It will also be observed that in entering and leaving the water the paddles are held at substantiallyright angles to the surface of the water, the, slight variation from the vertical of the paddles in enteringand leaving the water being snch as to aft'ectbiitslightly the theory of the action ot' the wheel based on exact vertical position ot" the paddles while in the water.

In backing the action of the wheel is similar to its action in going forward, except that the arms c are pushed by the wheel, instead of being pulled thereby, around the groove in the ring c.

The amount oteecentricity of the ring with regard to the wheel, the diameter of the wheel and the ring, and the length of the arms o1J may be varied, all producing more or less of change in the operation of the paddles,but notdeparting from my invention, of which l have given in the drawings the best embodiment known to me.

I claimi l. The stationary ring-guide or track c c, fastened to the side of the vessel, for the purposes set forth, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the rocking or rotatin g paddles provided with arms a, rigidly fastened to the paddle-axes b, the fixed or stationary rin g-guide or track c c, in which the pins or pivots ofthe arms travel, to govern the position of the paddles.

In wit-ness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day ot'l December, A. D. 1864.

ALBERT GILMAN.

In presence of- J. B. CROSBY, FRANCIS GoULD. 

